In two presentations Ina Krüger (Ecologic Institute) introduced the work of Ecologic Institute at the 13th International Conference "EUROPE-INBO 2015" for the implementation of the European Water Directives. In a short presentation at the round table 'The financing of water policy and economic analysis' Ina Krueger presented the results of an evaluation of the water abstraction charge and the compensation payments to farmers in the state of Baden-Württemberg (Germany). The presentation slides are available for download.

In order to support businesses in improving their resource efficiency, Member States use a variety of approaches, ranging from voluntary to regulatory measures. This study assesses the scope of application of ten relevant measures and provides good practice cases across Member States. Through data gathering on Member State level, this study found a wide range of successful examples of measures, varying by country and region. A number of lessons learnt can be drawn from their application; these are useful for the design of support measures in other Member States. The study is available for download.

In two presentations Ina Krüger introduced the work of Ecologic Institute at the 13th International Conference "EUROPE-INBO 2015" for the implementation of the European Water Directives. On 21 October 2015, Ina Krüger presented at a workshop of the project EcoCuencas the work of Ecologic Institute on a guideline for the financing of river basin organisations (RBO) in Latin America, and provided an outlook for the planned work in scope of this project. The presentation slides are available for Download.

This project aims at strengthening the financing of River Basin Organisations (RBOs) in Latin America. Adequate financing of RBOs is crucial for improving water management and increasing local capacities to prepare for and adapt to climate change. In order to achieve this aim, political and stakeholder dialogues on the role of financing in integrated water resources management will be facilitated, a guide on financing mechanisms will be developed and tested, and the relevance of financing mechanisms demonstrated in four pilot river basins. Best practice examples from Latin America and abroad will be collected and disseminated in the region.

Members of the research team of the European water research project DESSIN, a four-year EU-funded FP7 project, published an article in the GAWT Magazine. Authored by Gerardo Anzaldua, Sarah Beyer and Manuel Lago from Ecologic Institute, Nadine Vanessa Gerner and Issa Nafo from the Emschergenossenschaft and Sebastian Birk from the University of Duisburg-Essen, the article provides insights on key findings and presents the evaluation framework developed during the project.

From 26 to 31 October 2015, Ecologic Institute conducted a 5-day training course on carbon pricing instruments – particularly emissions trading – for 20 Panamanian public officials. Senior Fellow Benjamin Görlach from Ecologic Institute led the event and was responsible for course organization and content. Together with Elizabeth Zelljadt, he taught several of the sessions and engaged expert speakers to present on specific topics relevant to the design of emissions trading systems as well as carbon pricing efforts in Latin America. Hosted by Panama's Ministry of Environment, the course was funded by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

In pursuit of the world's most ambitious climate goals, the European Union recognizes the ability and necessity of cities to lead the way. Initiatives such as Smart Cities, the European Green Capital Award, and European Mobility Week highlighting sustainable urban mobility plans, illustrate how urban areas are at the forefront of the global carbon revolution, breaking established structures and dependencies and devising new models for integrated systems. Further, the Covenant of Mayors and C40 Cities demonstrate the viability and value of city-centered international networks in the 21st century.

On 21 October 2015, the Ecologic Institute US hosted an evening symposium at the Consulate General of Germany in New York to discuss the Decarbonization of Finance with key stakeholders from finance and policy in Germany and the US.

The Arctic Summer College is a virtual campus for learning about the environment in the Arctic and exchanging ideas on how the world can protect the Arctic from negative impacts of human activities in the High North. The college focuses on climate change adaptation, natural resource management, biodiversity protection, environmental governance, and human health. The Arctic Summer College 2015 enabled participants to be better prepared to finding solutions and implementing these in social and political processes.

On 29 April 2015, Ecologic Institute US and the Guarini Center on Environmental, Energy and Land Use Law at New York University School of Law hosted a discussion about the German Energiewende (Energy Transition). The event provided an opportunity for participants to speak with experts with first-hand insight into the Energiewende and the lessons it may hold for policymakers in New York State, currently pursuing their own comprehensive energy reforms.

The American Institute for Contemporary German Studies (AICGS) at Johns Hopkins University initiated a project in collaboration with the Ecologic Institute discussing the geopolitics of the Energy Transformation.

Ecologic Institute and the FracTracker Alliance inform and discuss about fracking and renewable energy sources. With 14 workshops in 7 countries on 3 continents, OUR ENERGY SOLUTIONS is creating an informed global community of engaged citizens, organizations, businesses, governments, and stakeholders to develop ideas and solutions to keep our society moving forward while preserving our planet for the future.

In order to foster waste prevention, article 29 of the European Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EG requires Member States to lay down national waste prevention programmes, specifying appropriate benchmarks for waste prevention measures. It enables Member States to make use of concrete quantitative and qualitative indicators (see also § 33 III 4 KrWG). In July 2013, the federal government adopted a national waste prevention programme. The government is now tasked to monitor the programme's implementation.

The BONUS project SHEBA (Sustainable Shipping and Environment in the Baltic Sea region) held a workshop with participants from various shipping-related sectors. The workshop aimed to better understand the environmental pressures of shipping in the Baltic and how these impacts might change over time, as well as which policies and abatement technologies could be important in the future. The main findings of this stakeholder consultation are available for download.

Despite many efforts and policy initiatives to strengthen sustainability in business and society the efforts taken so far do not seem to be sufficient to address current sustainability challenges and environmental degradation. However, there are numerous local initiatives, companies and social innovators that have successfully established sustainable practices. They often operate in a niche but provide innovative ideas and alternatives that have the potential to improve sustainability at a greater scale.